Working on getting my mojo back

It has been way to long since my last blog post. I sincerely apologize - work has kept me busy pretty much every weekend of June. Luckily, I am crossing my fingers that with the 4th of July holiday right around the corner, I will have a few days where I won't be working so late so I can focus on projects featuring some new items in the recently released catalog.

Today's card project features the new 2012-2014 In-Colors and coordinating accessories - the new dahlia assortment and satin stitched ribbon.

Card Recipe

Paper: Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White
Stamps: Button buddies, netting background stamp, teeny tiny wishes
ink: Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake
Accessories: 2012-2014 in-color Dahlia assortment; Summer Starfruit 3/8" satin stitched ribbon, stripes embossing folder

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Itty Bitty Banners & Bitty Banner Framelits

This weekend we celebrated Father's Day, and I suddenly realized I need to have more masculine greeting cards on hand! So I have decided that my the theme for my next couple of greeting cards will be to make "masculine" and/or gender neutral cards. 

Tonight's card project features a mix of retired and current stamp sets. I used the Well Worn DSP and Have a Seat Stamp Set retired from last year's catalog. I wish I had bought this stamp set sooner just because I think it is perfect for making masculine cards.

To make this card perfect for any occasion, I used the new Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and new Bitty Banners Framelits.

Other supplies used to make this card include Extreme Elements Stamp set; Not Quite Navy classic ink; Early Espresso classic ink; and Night of Navy 1/4" grossgrain ribbon.

Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set

Bitty Banners Framelits

You Make my Whole Face Smile

The new 2012-2014 In Colors are bold, bright, and beautiful! To show them off, I made this quick card using the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set from the 2012 Sale-A-Bration Catalog.  The new In-Colors are (clockwise from the top left of the card) Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Primrose Petals.

Card Recipe:

Paper: Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White

Ink: Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Primrose Petals

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions

Tools: 3/4" circle punch

Accessories: Island Indigo 3/8" ruffled ribbon; 2011-2013 in-color designer printed brads

The new 2012-2013 SU catalog is posted on the right hand column of my blog. Check it out!

Summer Afternoon

It's official...the new 2012-2013 Stampin Up Annual Catalog is out!!!! Here is my first card featuring a stamp set from the new catalog. The stamp set I used is called Summer Afternoon and is actually a Hostess Set in the new catalog.  I have been aching to use my watercolor paper lately, and this stamp set gave me a perfect opportunity to do just that! Check it out!

Stampin Up's Watercolor Paper (#122959) allows you to watercolor like a pro! It absorbs water to help keep the paper flat.  The photo image is not the best, but if you look closely, you will see that, with my aqua painter, I colored the bicycle with Pool Party and Island Indigo. the tires were colored with Basic Gray. With my Lucky Limeade, I was able to paint in the grass area. and tried to create some depth and shadow.

The new catalog is also filled lots of beautiful and fun new Designer Series Paper, but I still have lots of the DSP from the 2011-2012 catalog handy that I don't want to go to waste. So I used various pieces of my Paisley Petals DSP (retired) to add some more color and embellishment.  Stay tuned for more card projects and don't forget to take a look at the new catalog through the link on the right side of my blog!

Card Recipe

Paper: Marina Mist CS; Paisley Petals DSP (retired); watercolor paper

Stamps: Summer Afternoon (hostess set)

Tools: 1 3/4" circle punch; 1 1/4" circle punch; scallop trim punch; Aqua painter

Ink: StazOn; Pool Party; Lucky Limeade; Island Indigo; Basic Gray; Calypso Corral

Accessories: Designer Buttons - regals collection

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Card Project NightCap

I can't believe I spent pretty much 11 hours at the office today! Call me crazy, though, but I didn't really mind since I am enjoying my new job. Once I got home, I realized I needed to do something to help me unwind before going to bed. So I decided to make a quick card to help my mind settle down.

Considering the late hour, I wanted to keep it simple so focused on using one stamp set, and turned to the current 2011-2013 in-colors (Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Pool Party) for inspiration. I took one image and repeated it accross the page in different colors. I just love how the colors come off so well on the Whisper White cardstock. To help me keep the image straight, I used my handy-dandy Stamp-a-ma-jig. For some added color and texture, I used my color spritzer tool and sponged the edges.

Card Recipe

Paper: Wisteria Wonder; Whisper White

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral

Stamps: Just Believe

Tools: Color spritzer tool; stamp-a-ma-jig

Accessories: Island Indigo ruffled ribbon,

2011-2013 designer printed brads

Happy Wednesday!

Sweet & Simple Sunday - Upsy Daisy (Retiring Stamp Set)

The release of the 2012-2013 catalog is only one more month away. So I decided to dis up one of the first Stamp Up stamp sets I ever purchased (back in 2009) - the Upsy Daisy stamp set. I regret not having done more with this simple and delightful stamp set. I am sad to say that is one of the stamp sets retiring this year.

Card Recipe

Paper: Basic Gray CS; So Saffron CS; Whisper White CS

Ink: Early Espresso; More Mustard; Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Baja Breeze pleated satin ribbon; Glimmer brads - subtles

Tools: Big Shot; Square Lattice embossing folder





If you're wondering how I created the main image - I just took opened up my More Mustard classic ink pad and stamped the pad onto the paper directly to get this "spongy" background. I did the same with my Daffodil Delight ink pad. However, I recommend starting with the lighter colors first. Then I inked me image with a dark color (here I used Early Espresso) and simply stamped on top.  I think it creates a beautiful effect.

Enjoy! Happy Stamping

Just for some fun

As the release of the new Stampin Up catalog quickly approaches, I decided it was about time for me to take a quick inventory of my stash of supplies so that I figure out where I am going to store the new stuff I just know I am going to want to buy! As I was doing this I came across some retired DSP called Morning Sunshine that I had found in the SU Clearance Rack, and had yet to use. Even though this DSP uses some retired colors, many of the current colors make a great, if not, perfect substitute.

Here is my card.

I just love the bright colors of this retired DSP. Some of retired colors used here included Summer Sun and Kiwi Kiss. However, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive make great substitutions. This retired DSP also featured a recently reintroduced color as well - Pacific Point!

Card Recipe

Paper: Old Olive CS; Brights Paper Pack DSP; Morning Sunshine DSP (retired)

Stamps: Language of Friendship; Send me Soaring

Ink: Pacific Point; Bashful Blue

Tools: 2-3/8" and 1-3/4" scallop circle punch, bird builder punch, build a cupcake punch, 1" circle punch; 1 3/4" circle punch

Accesories: chocolate chip scallop polka dot ribbon

 

This sketch was inspired by a card I made at fellow SU demonstator Cindy Elam's card class a few months ago. We made a card creating a similar tree and a I just had to recreate it here! =) She also posts great stuff on her Heart's Delight Cards Blog.

Hope you like it!

You Send Me Soaring

I recently treated myself to another new stamp set from the current 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog (reminder - 2012 Occasions mini catalog expires on April 30, 2012). As a kid (an even as an adult), I always enjoyed flying kites whenever my parents would take us to the park. So the Send Me Soaring was absolutely calling out to me when I discovered it.

Card Recipe

Paper: Island Indigo, Whisper White; Brights DSP pack

Stamps: Send me Soaring

Ink: Island Indigo, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black

Accessories: Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon

I used the basic kite image and stamped it onto a piece of Tempting Turquoise DSP from the Brights DSP Paper stack. With my paper snips, I cut out the kite image and popped it up on my card front with dimensionals. I love the little kite tails also! Use your imagination and see what else you can do with this stamp set...I know I will!

Happy Stamping!
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Sweet & Simple Sunday - Party Projects

This past weekend was pretty jam packed with baby showers and birthday parties, so instead of the usual Sweet & Simple Sunday card project, I wanted to showcase some of the items used to decorate and liven up my girlfriend's baby shower. I helped out by creating the party favors and cupcake toppers. The first photo below is a picture of the dessert table my god sister put together for her sister's baby shower.

Isn't her set up just the best?! She bought these oh so delicious cupcakes, created mini smores desserts in mini shot glasses, chocolate cookies shaped in mustaches, and brought in beautiful flowers to accent the table! Everything looked great!

I created the mini milk carton party favors using Stampin Up's Mini Milk Carton die and my Big Shot. I alternated between So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, and Marina Mist card stock for the cartons, then decorated them with Just Add Cake DSP. For added embellishment, I used the My Digital Software, Little Additions digital brush set, and Many Mustaches digital brush set to print out the images to stick on the front of the cartons. Finally, I used Stampin Up's mini clothespins to hold one end of the mini milk cartons together.

I also used MDS to create the mustache cupcake toppers. After printing it on Marina Mist CS, I punched the images out with my 1 1/4" circle punch, and layered it on a piece of Just Add Cake DSP punched with my scallop square punch. I then used my hot glue gun to adhere the toothpick to the back.


In addition to the dessert table, my aunt labored in the kitchen and satisfied our appetites with homemade mac n' cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, sliders, french fries, and some other awesome goodies!

Perfect for just saying hello

Sometimes you just need that perfect card to write a little note to a friend to say hello. I used the "You're my type" stamp set from the current Occasions Mini catalog to create this darling little notecard.

Card Recipe

Paper: Confetti Cream CS; Basic Black CS; Newsprint DSP (retired)
Ink: Basic Black
Stamps: You're My Type
Accessories: 1/8" basic black taffeta ribbon; brads - neutrals
Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit die, paper piercing tool & mat pack

Happy Stampin!

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Just Believe...and see what happens

Wow! Can you believe it is Wednesday already! How this week has flown by! So this card kind of expresses a sentiment I have been feeling lately - "Something have to be believed to be seen." I truly believe that if one visualizes and believes that good things will happen - then they eventually will!



Card Recipe

Paper: Crumb Cake CS; Always Artichoke CS; Blushing Bride CS; Paisley Petal DSP

Stamps: En Francais background stamp; For All You Do; Just Believe

Ink: Crumb Cake; Soft Suede; Always Artichoke

Accessories: Fleurette (from clearance rack), basic pearls

Tools: Big Shot, beautiful wings embosslit

Happy Stamping Everyone!

Sweet & Simple Sunday - Easy Events Card Project #7

Oh is it really Sunday already? How the weekend has simply flown by....

But here is the my Card Project #7 using the Easy Events Stamp Set. Another colorful card using Just Add Cake DSP that is perfect to simply share a nice and bright hello with a friend!

Card Recipe:

Paper: So Saffron CS; Early Espresso CS; Confetti White CS; Wild Wisabi CS; Just Add Cake DSP;

Stamps: Easy Events

Ink: Stazon, Many marvelous markers

Accessories: silver brads

Tools: Big Shot; Little leaves Die

Easy Events Card Project #4 - Sorry I'm late

I hope everyone is enjoying the President's Day Holiday and the long weekend. I know I am! Here is my 4th card project using the Easy Events stamp set. 

Card Recipe

Paper: Poppy Parade CS; Wild Wasabi CS;  Bashful Blue CS; Whisper White CS; Just Add Cake DSP

Stamps: Easy Events

Ink: Many Marvelous Markers

Accessories: Poppy Parade poly-stiched ribbon; Brights Brads; Neutrals Brads

Tools: Wide oval punch; decorative label punch; lace ribbon punch; boho blossoms punch;

The lace ribbon punch is an awesome tool! For this card, I used it to create a "vine," and then I punched flowers with the Boho Blossoms punch ad stuck them onto the lace border with glue dots. It was a simple way for me to add some extra embellishment to this card! 

Hope you like it! Happy Stamping Everyone!

Best Wishes with Rue Des Fleurs and Oval All Stamp Set

 

Today's card uses the Rue Des Fluers stamp set from the current Occasions Mini and the Oval All stamp set in current IB&C. I consider the Oval All stamp set is an oldie but goodie type of stamp set.  Any of the four sentiments that come in the Oval All stamp set can be used for any occasion.

 

 

This stamp set coordinates perfectly with large oval punch (#119855) and scallop oval punch (#119856). 

 

 

 Card Recipe:

Paper: Elegant Eggplant CS; River Rock CS; Confetti White CS; Old Olive CS; Paisley Petals DSP

Stamps: Rue Des Fleurs, Oval All

Ink: Marina Mist; Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Pink Piroutte

Tools: Large oval punch, Scallop oval punch; aquapainter

Accessories: Antique brads; Scallop polka dot ribbon 

 

Click here to order your supplies

 

Remember to take advantage of earning free products from the Sale-A-Bration catalog with every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping).

Sweet & Simple Sunday - Trendy Trees

Another weekend come and again means time for another Sweet & Simple Sunday card project. The weather in San Diego was beyond beautiful this weekend. After dealing with a bit of rain on Monday, the rest of the week was simply gorgeous - bright & sunny to say the least

I turned to this weekend's weather for some inspiration =) I looked outside the window and saw a clear sky and lots of sun! So I decided to use Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight for my color scheme. I wanted to make a cheerful, "sunny" card to reflect the weather, and I thought the Trendy Trees stamp set would do the trick.  The trees ended up a little crooked though - I guess that just means I have to get myself a Stamp-a-ma-jig!!

Card Recipe

Paper: Tempting Turquoise CS; Daffodil Delight CS; Whisper White CS; Tempting Turquoise DSP (Brights Paper Pack)

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso

Tools: Paper Piercer and mat pack

Accessories: Brights Brads; daffodil delight 1-1/4" striped grossgrain ribbon

Stamps: Trendy Trees

3x3 cards and tote



As a raffle prize for my recent open house, I decided to make some 3x3 note card. I made a little "tote" bag to hold them.  I designed the note cards and tote around the Paisley Petals DSP. Using the DSP as my focal point was great because it gave me an awesome selection color combos to work with.

I got the idea for this little 3x3 tote from the SplitCoast Stampers resource gallery. Their site is full of wonderful ideas, techniques, and tutorials!

This little tote was made with Early Espresso CS. I used the dotted scallop ribbon border punch for the handle, and scallop trim border punch for the edges of the tote. I accented the front and back with Paisley Petals DSP layered over Always Artichoke cardstock.

Then I used a sentiment from the Oval All stamp set, which coordinates perfectly with the large oval punch and scallop oval punch.

Materials and colors used include: River Rock CS Marina Mist CS; Not Quite Navy CS, Whisper White CS; Paisley Petals DSP, Watercolor Trio stamp set (retired); Four Frames stamp set; Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set; Large Oval punch, decorative label punch, scallop square punch, word window punch, scallop trim border punch, beautiful wings embosslit, silver hodgepodge, Chantilly lace ribbon

To view more pictures of the individual 3x3 cards in this set, check out my Photo Gallery



card 1


Card #1 Recipe
Paper: Not Quite Navy; Paisley Petals DSP
Ink: Old Olive
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Silver Hodgepodge (clearance rack); Miscellaneous brads
Tools: Stripes Embossing folder, Big shot; Square punch (to create dovetail on DSP)

Card 2

Card 2 Recipe
Paper: Marina Mist CS; Whisper White CS; Paisley Petals DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Itty Bitty Backgrounds (retired)
Tools: Beautiful wings embosslit; Big Shot; Scallop Square Punch, Word Window Punch
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones





Card 3




Card 3 Recipe
Paper: Rover Rock CS; Early Espresso CS; Whisper White CS; Paisley Petals DSP
Ink: Early Espresso; Old Olive; Marina Mist
Stamps: Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools: Decorative Label Punch; Scallop trim border punch, Punch Pack
Accessories: Rhinestones,











Card 4



Card 4 Recipe
Paper: River Rock CS, Early Espresso CS, Paisley Petals DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Always Artichoke, River Rock
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes; Watercolor Trio (retired)
Accessories: Chatilly lace ribbon
Tools: Large oval punch, sponge


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Dont forget...you can get free products for every $50 spent (before tax and shipping) during the Sale-A-Bration period going on now!

Sweet & Simple Sunday with Button Buddies

Wow! This sure was a jam packed weekend for me...but in a good way of course. As I posted earlier today, the open house yesterday was a big success for me. Today, I accompanied a friend of mine to another stamping event...which helped me get some of my creative juices flowing for today's Sweet & Simple Sunday project.  Today's project features the Button Buddies stamp set in the current IB&C.

Card Recipe 

Paper: Concord Crush, Whisper White

Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz, Blushing Bride

Stamps: Button Buddies; Teeny Tiny Wishes

Accessories: Blushing Bride 1/2" stiched poly ribbon; Hemp Twine; Designer Buttons (Regals)

Tools: Ticket Corner Punch

To keep with the "sweet & simple" theme, I tried to keep the layers to a minimum. So to incorporate more color without necessarily adding more pieces of paper, I just stamped the flower image from the Button Buddies stamp set in multiple colors - starting with Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzaz, and stamping with the darkest color, Concord Crush, last.

To accessorize, I used the designers buttons regals pack (which coordinate perfectly with the images from the Button Buddies stamp set), and the Blushing Bride 1/2" stiched poly ribbon.

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